The Green Memory Study: Can Seaweed Treat Alzheimer's?
There is some promising news of research being conducted for a potential treatment to help in the fight against Alzheimer's disease.
Oligomannate's effectiveness in treating individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer's is being investigated in the US. The "Green Memory Study" is a phase 3 clinical trial being conducted in the US.1
It began in 2020 and is expected to conclude and have a potential drug launch by 2026, pending approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This study is a result of research, clinical trials, and approved use of Oligomannate in individuals with mild to moderate AD, in China.1
What is oligomannate?
Oligomannate is made of extracts from a type of seaweed known as brown algae. It is made up of sugars derived from brown algae.2
The brain-gut connection in Alzheimer's Disease
What makes oligomannate different from other Alzheimer's drugs, is that this drug helps to decrease neuroinflammation in the brain by working on reshaping and reconditioning micro-organisms that live inside the gut.2
The studies in China have established a link between the microorganisms of the gut and their relationship and role in neuroinflammation. Inflammation in the brain has been well studied and is recognized as a contributing piece of Alzheimer's and plays an important role in the early stages of AD.2,3
Cognition improvements?
There is much more research happening with the Green Memory Study in the US. It will be many, many more years before we know the results of the study and the decision for approval by the FDA.
However, as the research stands currently, the lead authors have argued that oligomannate has demonstrated solid and consistent cognition improvements in phase 3 clinical trials in China.2,3
New thinking about amyloid beta's role in Alzheimer's
I am excited about how Alzheimer's research continues to investigate the potential causes of brain inflammation.
The studies in China have helped to revolutionize the thought pattern that Alzheimer's is not an amyloid-beta protein-driven disease of the brain. The amyloid beta-protein is a primary factor in the formation of amyloid plaques.2,3
Amyloid plaques have been found in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's. They have become somewhat of a marker for the disease. These plaques have long been thought to be a driving force, in initiating the Alzheimer's disease process. The recent studies from China, are shedding new light on this original hypothesis.2,3
Hope for the future
Both of my parents had Alzheimer's disease. It is such a devastating disease to the individual with Alzheimer's and for their loved ones.
It was very difficult to watch the decline of my parents, however, the continued search for the root cause of this terrible disease gives me hope for the future.
Curious to learn more about the Green Memory Study and other perspectives from the Alzheimer's community? Search our forums.
Join the conversation